Every type of punter is different, and when placing a bet, we all look for different things. Some have a gut feeling. They wake up in the morning having dreamed that England won the World Cup, and off they go to the bookies or to an online betting site to put their money where their mouth is. Others prefer to research.
Whether you are in the former or the latter category, there are things that you simply must look into before you place a bet. After all, as is often said, 'Knowledge is power." With that in mind, here are three topics you simply have to consider before you lay your hard-earned cash on the line.
Squad depth can make or break a team's season, especially when injuries pile up. Take Arsenal, for example. Over the past few seasons, they’ve put together a squad capable of pushing for league titles and competing in Europe. They've finished as the runner-up
in each of the last two Premier League seasons, and many thought that the ongoing 2024/25 campaign would be their year.
Unfortunately, injuries had other ideas. Despite the bookies making Arsenal the narrow favorite for the title in preseason, they are now a distant outsider, sitting a whopping 13 points off runaway league leaders Liverpool, albeit with a game in hand. That has prompted the sportsbook providers to take action, with Bovada's sportsbook making the Reds an incredibly short -5000 favorite for the title, with the Gunners some way behind at +2500.
Much of that is down to injuries. Arsenal is without a recognized striker following season-ending injuries to both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, prompting them to start defensive midfielder Mikel Merino up front. As if that wasn't bad enough, the usual starting wingers, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, have both been out for months.
The result? An impotent attack, fewer chances created, and ultimately, points lost in tight games. Betting on Arsenal during spells like this requires caution—they’re talented, yes, but missing game-changers on the pitch makes them unpredictable against even mid-table teams. They have dropped points against the likes of West Ham and Nottingham Forest, and further disappointments could follow before the season is out.
Momentum matters in football. Teams riding high on confidence often carry that energy straight onto the pitch, while struggling sides can spiral into disastrous form. A glaring example comes from Manchester United’s disastrous 2024/25 campaign.
The Red Devils kicked off with high hopes after Erik Ten Hag led them to FA Cup glory last season, defeating cross-city rivals and heavily favored Manchester City in the Wembley showpiece. However, they have suffered a brutal downturn that not even the most pessimistic United fan could have anticipated.
Defensive lapses, lackluster attacking play, and mounting tension within the squad meant they went entire months without wins. Even against weaker opposition, United couldn’t seem to find the back of the net or keep their own clean. Their performances cost the aforementioned Ten Hag his job, and new manager Ruben Amorim has endured a disastrous time since making the move from Portuguese champions Sporting CP.
For bettors, this decline in form was a flashing red warning sign regarding this team that most would usually consider a “safe pick.” The Red Devils have lost home games to Fulham (twice), Crystal Palace, and Brighton - three contests that they were huge favorites to win. There’s no question that when it comes to making savvy bets, looking at a team’s momentum and confidence matters enormously.
There’s no place like home, and that’s especially true for certain teams. Look no further than Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao. These two Spanish giants have transformed their home turf into fortresses this season, regularly emerging victorious, even against the heavyweight El Clasico rivals of Real Madrid and Barcelona.
At Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, Diego Simeone’s side thrives off the energy of rabid fans, closing down spaces and capitalizing on defensive mistakes. They are unbeaten on their home patch in the league this season, winning ten of their games and drawing four. One of those draws even came against their arch-rivals across the city, and if that wasn't enough, they managed to pick up a point despite having Marcos Llorente sent off.
Likewise, Athletic Bilbao’s San Mamés is notorious for its cauldron-like atmosphere. They have lost just once at home this season, and as luck would have it, that was against the aforementioned Atleti. They have already beaten Real Madrid at home this season. Plus, with the Europa League final set to be held in their stadium this term, you can bet your bottom dollar that they will be giving it their all to lift a maiden European trophy in front of their adoring public at the end of the season. That’s a big factor when it comes to making betting choices…
